NEWS RELEASEHEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES CENTRAL COMMAND 7115 South Boundary Boulevard MacDill AFB, Fla. 33621-5101 Phone: (813) 827-5894; FAX: (813) 827-2211; DSN 651-5894 |
May 30, 2003
Release Number: 03-05-112
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
COALITION AND IRAQI POLICE WORK TO MAKE IRAQ SECURE (May 30, 2003)
CAMP DOHA, Kuwait -- Coalition Forces continue to aggressively patrol Iraq to eliminate crimes against people and property, rid populated areas of weapons, ammunition, explosives, and stop the black market trade in fuel and other commodities. Coalition Forces also continue to conduct joint security patrols with Iraqi police in their efforts to increase the professionalism of the police force and prepare them for their role in a self-governed Iraq.
Coalition Activity:
Fourth Infantry Division soldiers stopped a civilian vehicle yesterday at a checkpoint near Samarra. They searched the car and found AK-47 rifles, explosives and rocket-propelled grenade launchers with ammunition. They detained the occupants for further questioning.
A 4th Infantry Division task force captured a senior Ba'ath party official from Tikrit and are questioning him regarding recent attacks.
First Armored Division soldiers conducted a cordon and search mission in Baghdad recently. They found weapons in a residence, and upon questioning the occupants, discovered they were Palestinians and Syrians without passports. They confiscated four AK-47 rifles, a 9mm submachine gun, five handguns and a book on terrorism.
Third Infantry Division soldiers in Baghdad recently discovered several buildings being used for a weapons cache. The caches contained large amounts of ammunition ranging in size from small arms up to large caliber mortar rounds. Soldiers also discovered official documents. Local citizens living near the cache area reported that other buildings were also used for weapons storage.
Marines from 1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment conducted several raids yesterday in Al Hillah after receiving information about Ba'ath party elements reorganizing and retraining. They captured 13 Iraqis one of whom was wounded. The Marines also confiscated 18 AK-47 rifles, a pistol, a shotgun, six grenades and a variety of explosive devices.
Marines from 2d Battalion, 5th Marines raided an arms market in As Samawah yesterday, capturing 10 arms dealers. They seized a variety of small arms, ammunition and grenades.
Marines from 3d Battalion, 7th Marines and Iraqi police confiscated 12 AK-47 rifles and three pistols yesterday while manning checkpoints in Karbala. They detained 18 Iraqis for weapons and black market fuel sales. They turned the detained Iraqis over to the Karbala police.
Police Activity in the Last 24 Hours:
Coalition Forces conducted 24 raids and a total of 2,157 patrols throughout Iraq. Of those patrols, they conducted 265 joint Iraqi and Coalition patrols. They also detained or arrested 213 individuals.
Recent Police Activity:
A local Iraqi citizen recently reported to soldiers from the 527th Military Police Company and Iraqi police in Baghdad that a relative involved with the Fedayeen told him about two individuals storing rocket-propelled grenade launchers, hand grenades, anti-aircraft weapons, AK-47 rifles and anti-tank mines behind a Baghdad mosque. Iraqi police and U.S. military police are investigating the allegation.
An Iraqi citizen turned in rocket-propelled grenades, anti-personnel mines and various explosives to a U.S. military police checkpoint in Baghdad recently. The military police dispatched an explosive ordnance disposal team to remove the explosives and store them in a safe location.
Two Iraqi women recently reported to soldiers from the 615th Military Police Company manning a police station that they knew the whereabouts of an Iraqi man who is a high ranking Ba'ath Party official and Fedayeen leader. One of the women alleged that the man shot and wounded her several weeks ago. They told the police that the man is very boastful about his Fedayeen involvement and that he and his brothers are constantly intimidating the local residents. Iraqi police are investigating the allegation.
A patrol of soldiers from the 527th Military Police Company recently observed two men attempting to conceal weapons in the trunk of a vehicle. The soldiers confiscated a large variety of rifles, handguns, AK-47 rifle magazines and over 1,000 rounds of various types of ammunition.
Iraqi police in Al Kadrah recently observed several Iraqi men walking near the police station, one of whom was carrying an AK-47 rifle. The police officers followed them to a house, entered it and spoke to one of the men. They searched for the other two men, but were unable to locate them. They searched the premises and confiscated six rifles and several swords. Iraqi police are continuing to investigate the incident.
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